~ DIAMOND PAINTING GUIDE ~
How to Make a Custom Diamond Painting From a Photo
Updated June 2026 · ~4 min read
Want a diamond painting of your own pet, portrait, or favorite photo? MakeBead turns any image into a custom diamond painting pattern — matched to DMC drill colors — and exports a free, printable PDF with a symbol chart and drill list. No sign-up needed to start, and your photo never leaves your device.
Step-by-Step
Upload your photo
Open the diamond painting maker and drop in any image — a pet, portrait, landscape, or logo. It runs right in your browser, free, with no sign-up to start.
Choose the canvas size
Pick how wide the pattern should be in drills. Bigger means more detail and a closer match to the photo — important for faces — but more drills and more time to place.
Pick the drill colors
The pattern is matched to real DMC drill colors. Lower the color count for an easier kit, or raise it to stay closer to the photo. Choose “All my colors” to use only drills you already own.
Preview and tidy up
Check the live preview. Open the result in the designer to clean up a face, sharpen an edge, or simplify a busy background so the finished piece reads clearly.
Export a free printable PDF
Download a printable PDF with a symbol chart and a full drill list — the exact count of each DMC color — so you know precisely which drills to buy before you start.
What’s in your pattern
Symbol chart
A printable grid with one symbol per drill color — the standard diamond painting layout.
DMC drill list
A per-color drill count that doubles as your exact shopping list.
Printable PDF
Laid out for paper, with large designs split across pages.
Tips for a great custom diamond painting
- ✓ High-contrast photos with a clear subject convert best — crop tight before uploading.
- ✓ Go bigger for faces and portraits; symbols and detail stay readable at larger sizes.
- ✓ The drill list is your shopping list — DMC drills are sold by the same color codes.
- ✓ Round or square (full) drills both work from the same chart — it’s just your kit preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a custom diamond painting from my own photo?
Yes. Upload any image and MakeBead converts it into a diamond painting pattern matched to DMC drill colors, with a printable symbol chart — free, no sign-up to start.
Is it free?
Yes. Converting a photo and exporting the PDF is free without signing in. An account is only needed to save the pattern to the cloud and sync it across devices.
What is a drill?
A drill is the small resin “diamond” you place on the canvas. The pattern maps each photo color to a DMC drill code and a symbol so you know exactly which drill goes in each cell.
Can I print the pattern?
Yes. Export a printable PDF with the symbol chart and drill list. Large designs are split across pages so you can print and assemble them in order.
What size should I choose?
Start larger for portraits and detailed photos so faces stay sharp; go smaller for simple subjects. Bigger means more drills and more placing time.
Do round and square drills use different patterns?
No. The same symbol chart works for round or square (full) drills — the difference is only the drill shape in your kit, not the pattern.
~ FREE, PRINTABLE PDF, NO SIGN-UP ~
Turn your photo into a diamond painting
Upload any image and get a custom diamond painting pattern matched to DMC drills, with a printable PDF symbol chart and drill list — free.
OPEN THE DIAMOND PAINTING MAKER →